With few places remaining to enjoy a cup of coffee and cigarette after a meal, Richard Cruce built his restaurant with smokers in mind. Since Just-A-Burg’r opened its doors on North Main Street in Marion a few years ago, ashtrays have been placed on the table tops alongside a staple of condiments.
The eatery is now one of the few places in Marion that welcome smokers. If approved, legislation introduced Friday in the Kentucky House of Representatives would make it a crime for diners to light up inside Just-A-Burg'r or under virtually any roof in the commonwealth.
House Bill 193, offered by Lexington Democrat Susan Westrom, would prohibit smoking in all public places and places of employment. The measure would outlaw smoking at not only restaurants, bars and most workplaces, but would set restrictions on just how close smokers would be allowed to light up outside of such places. All rooms at hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts would also be required to be smoke-free.
Kent Wilcox of Marion believes such a law goes too far. The 27-year-old smoker says business owners like Cruce should be able to decide their own smoking policies, not the government.
“If they don’t want smoking, it’s as simple as putting a no-smoking sign in the window,” Wilcox said.
Wilcox enjoys his cigarettes, but doesn’t like being around others’ smoke. Because of that, he tries to be respectful of others by stepping away when he feels the urge. He believes, though, that the options are simple for his and others wanting to avoid places where smoking is allowed.
“I have the choice to walk out,” he said.
Cruce says he built his restaurant with his smoking friends in mind, installing ventilation designed to keep the air cleaner. He attributes a fair amount of business to the fact that he allows smoking. Each morning, a group of men with few other places to enjoy a smoke with friends gather around a large table top, sharing stories and cigarettes with breakfast.
“That’s why they come in,” Cruce said.
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